Voter registration ends today

To accommodate the last-minute rush, the Clerk's downtown office (69 W. Washington, Fifth Floor, Chicago) and the five suburban Cook County courthouse mini-centers will stay open until 8 p.m.

Since Oct. 1, the Clerk's office has received more than 30,000 registrations from suburban voters, of which 13,000 were for first-time voters.

Orr reminds voters who have recently moved that they must re-register at their current address prior to the deadline. Voters who have changed their name also must re-register.

Registration applications for suburban Cook County residents can be printed at voterinfonet; Chicago residents should visit www.chicagoelections.com for information.

After completing the application, suburban voters should return it to the Cook County Clerk's office, 69 W. Washington St., Fifth Floor, Chicago, IL 60602. All applications must be delivered or postmarked by Oct. 7.

Residents wishing to register in person can visit Orr's office, their municipal or township clerk's office, or one of the Clerk's offices located at the five suburban Cook County courthouses:

Prospective voters should bring two pieces of identification to register, including one displaying a current address (a bill mailed to the prospective voter may serve as one form of ID).

To qualify to vote, a person must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old by Election Day (Nov. 4) and a resident of his or her precinct for at least 30 days prior to the election.

The Clerk's office will send a voter identification card to each voter after the applications are processed. The card lists each voter's precinct information and voting districts.

Those who miss the regular registration deadline will still be able to vote if they register during the 14-day grace period from Oct. 8-21. During grace period registration, voters must sign up to vote in person at the Clerk's downtown Chicago office (69 W. Washington St., Fifth Floor) or at one of the Clerk's five courthouse locations. You must show two pieces of identification to register.

Grace period voters must vote absentee immediately after signing up to vote or via a mail absentee ballot completed at home and returned to the Clerk's office before Election Day. Grace period registrants are not allowed to vote at the polls on Election Day or vote at any Early Voting site.